Police question, release cousin, 14, in shooting of 13-year-old

ST. PETERSBURG — The 14-year-old boy who accidentally shot his 13-year-old cousin Tuesday afternoon turned himself in to police on Wednesday morning and has been questioned and released, authorities said.

Detectives are consulting with prosecutors about whether charges should be filed against the boy, said police spokesman Mike Puetz.

Jonathan Jude Gilbert, 14, turned himself in about 5 a.m. Wednesday in the company of his stepfather, Puetz said.

Police said Tuesday that Jonathan accidentally shot Danajha Jackson at her home near 39th Avenue S and Fourth Street S.

Jonathan was reportedly cleaning a gun in the bathroom when he accidentally fired it into a wall. The bullet passed into Danajha's bedroom and hit her in the chest.

Danajha and Jonathan were driven to All Children's Hospital by Danajha's mother, but Jonathan disappeared before he could be interviewed by police. The hospital was placed on lockdown, but searchers failed to find the boy.

The gun had not been recovered as of Wednesday morning. Puetz said detectives would investigate how Jonathan obtained the gun and try to identify who provided it to him.